12,'*" 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT, 


EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 
April   18,   1862. 


Hon.  Thos.   S.  Bocock, 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

Sir  :  I  transmit,  herewith,  Lieutenant-Commanding  Robt. 
B.  Pegram's  report  of  the  cruise  of  the  Nashville,  and  cer- 
tain official  correspondence  called  for  by  the  resolution  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  15th  inst. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


LETTER  OF  SECRETARY  OF  THE  NAVY. 


CONFEDERATE  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 
Navy  Department, 
Ric/wiond,  April  17th,  1862. 
The  President: 

Sir  :  In  compliance  with  the  following  resolution  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  adopted  on  the  15th  instant, 

''Resolved,  That  the  President  be  requested  to  communi- 
cate to  this  House  the  report  of  the  cruise  of  the  Nashville, 
together  with  the  official  correspondence  of  its  commander 
with  the  British  Admiralty  officer,  and  other  parties  in  Eng- 
land," 

1  have  the  honor  to  transmit  the  report  of  Lieut.  Command- 
ing Robert  B.  Pegram,  commanding  the  steamer  Nashville, 
and  the  correspondence  accompanying  the  same. 
With  much  respect, 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  R.  MALLORY, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy, 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
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http://www.archive.org/details/letterofsecretar05conf 


REPORT  OF  CRUISE  OF  THE  NASHVILLE. 


Confederate  States  Steamer  Nashville, 
Beaufort,  N.  C,  March  10,  1862. 

To  the  Hon.  S.  R.  Mallory, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  in  obedience  to  your 
instructions,  dated  September  27th,  1861,  I  assumed  the 
command  of  the  steamer  Nashville,  then  lying  at  Charles- 
ton, S.  C. 

From  the  time  that  I  arrived  at  Charleston,  I  informed 
myself,  by  frequent  reconnoissances,  of  the  exact  position 
of  the  enemy's  blockading  squadron,  and  when  Messrs.  Ma- 
son and  Slidell  declined  to  proceed  to  England  in  the  Nash- 
ville, I  being  directed  to  carry  out  the  remainder  of  my  in- 
structions, awaited  a  favorable  opportunity  for  running  the 
blockade.  This  opportunity  appeared  to  have  arisen  on  the 
26th  October,  and  on  the  night  of  that  da}^  having  again 
carefully  reconnoitered  the  position  of  the  enemy,  and  placed 
boats  on  the  bar  for  my  guidance,  I  left  Charleston  harbor. 
One  of  the  boats  placed  upon  the  bar,  through  some  unfore- 
seen circumstances,  however,  drifted  from  its  place,  and  the 
Nashville  struck  rather  heavily  upon  a  reef,  from  which  she 
was  got  off  without  injury.  It  had  been  my  intention  to 
run  out  before  the  rising  of  the  moon,  but,  as  a  consequence 
of  the  detention  caused  by  running  aground,  the  moon  had 
already  risen  above  the  horizon  as  we  were  crossing  the 
bar,  enabling  us  to  clearly  perceive  the  enemy's  vessels, 
while  the  Nashville,  lying  in  the  shadow  thrown  by  the 
land,  was  completely  hidden  from  hostile  observation.  Hav- 
ing thus  baffled  the  vigilance  of  the  blockading  fleet,  I  shaped 
our  course  for  the  Bermuda  Islands,  which  we  reached  on 
the  30th  October.  At  Bermuda  I  obtained  a  full  supply  of 
coal,  and  the  Fingal,  Capt.  Bullock,  C.  S.  N.,  arriving  be- 
fore our  departure,  I  was  able  to  furnish  that  vessel  with 


tlie  coal  tliat  she  required.  Mr.  Macon,  the  Savannah  pilot, 
was  then  transferred  by  me  to  the  Fingal,  and  I  also  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  Capt.  Bullock  the  services  of  any  of  my 
officers  whom  he  might  need. 

On  the  oth  November  we  left  Bermuda,  and,  in  order  to 
elude  pursuit,  took  a  track  across  the  ocean  but  little  fre- 
quented by  vessels.  During  the  greater  part  of  the  pas- 
sage we  met  with  strong  head  winds,  the  wheel-houses, 
guards,  and  a  portion  of  the  hurricane-deck  and  bulwarks 
being  washed  away.  At  9  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
19th  November,  a  sail  was  sighted  standing  towards  us, 
which  proved  to  be  the  clipper  ship  ITarvey  Birch,  Capt.  M. 
Nelson,  from  Havre  to  New  York,  in  ballast.  When  within 
hailing  distance,  I  hoisted  the  Confederate  Qhq,  and  demanded 
the  surrender  of  the  vessel  as  a  prize  to  the  Nashville, 
which  demand  was  instantly  complied  with.  I  then  ordered 
the  Captain  to  come  on  board  with  his  ship's  papers,  and 
after  a  careful  examination  of  these,  one  of  the  officers  of 
the  Nashville  went  on  board  of  the  Ilarvcy  Birch,  and,  after 
transferring  the  officers  and  crew  (thirty-one  in  number,) 
on  board  the  Nashville,  with  their  personal  effects,  set  the 
Harvey  Birch  on  fire.  Before  she  Avas  lost  to  our  sight  her 
masts  had  gone  by  the  board,  and  she  had  burned  to  the 
water's  edge.  I  then  continued  my  course,  and  on  the  21st 
November  anchored  off  the  port  of  Southampton,  the  officers 
and  crew  of  the  Harvey  Birch  being  then  liberated  and  per- 
mitted to  go  on  shore. 

Immediately  upon  my  arrival  at  Southampton,  I  commu- 
nicated, as  instructed,  with  Lieut.  North,  C.  S.  N.,  and  the 
Hon.  Wm.  L.  Yancey,  and  apprised  them  of  your  instruc- 
tions, having  previously  shown  these  to  Capt.  Bullock,  C. 
S.  N.,  at  Bermuda.  I  then  tendered  the  Hon.  William  L. 
Yancey  a  passage  to  the  Confederate  States  in  the  Nash- 
ville, and,  as  in  consequence  of  the  seizure  of  the  Confede- 
rate Commissioners,  Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell,  there  then 
appeared  to  be  a  great  probability  of  an  early  rupture  be- 
tween England  and  the  United  States,  I  determined  to  await 
the  result. 

In  the  meanwhile  I,  upon  examination,  found  that  the 
Nashville  required  thoroughly  overhauling,  and  she  was 
taken,  accordingly,  into  the  dry- dock  at  Southampton,  on 
the  5th  December.  There  I  was  allowed  by  the  Admiralty 
Agent  to  have  the  ship  placed  in  the  condition  in  which  she 
was  when  we  left  Charleston,  but  I  was  not  permitted  in  any 


way  to  alter  or  strengthen  her,  the  British  Cabinet  having 
determined  to  maintain  a  strict  neutrality,  in  accordance 
with  the  tenor  of  the  Queen's  proclamation.  This  same 
plea  precluded  me  from  obtaining  any  arms  or  ammunition, 
and  the  Nashville  being  a  government  vessel,  it  would  not 
have  been  seen  with  satisfaction,  had  I  endeavored  to  pro- 
cure surreptitiously  that  which  was  openly  denied. 

The  entire  confidence  that  I  reposed  in  Lieut.  C.  M. 
Fauntleroy,  as  an  officer  of  ability  and  discretion,  induced 
me  to  undertake  the  responsibility  of  detaching  him  from 
the  Nashville,  at  Southampton,  and  of  placing  him  in  a  more 
responsible  position,  connected  with  the  interests  of  the 
Confederacy,  than  that  which  he  had  occupied.  This  will, 
I  hope,  meet  with  your  approval. 

Soon  after  leaving  Charleston,  it  became  evident  that  trai- 
tors were  amongst  us,  and  this  was  clearly  proved  by  an  at- 
tempt, which  was  made  at  Southampton,  to  fire  the  ship  at 
midnight.  The  person  who  attempted  to  perpetrate  this  dia- 
bolical deed  was  not  discovered,  but,  as  several  desertions 
took  place  shortly  afterwards,  it  is  most  probable  that  he 
did  not  act  alone. 

While  the  Nashville  was  lying  at  Southampton,  the  federal 
corvette  Tuscarora,  Captain  Craven,  arrived  and  was  moored 
off  the  port,  with  the  openly  avowed  intention  of  waiting  for 
the  egress  of  the  Nashville.  This  attempt  by  one  belligerent 
vessel  to  blockade  another  in  a  neutral  port,  caused  great 
indignation  in  England,  and  in  order  to  allay  the  irritation 
of  public  feeling,  both  vessels  were  ordered  by  the  authori- 
ties to  leave  within  a  specified  time.  The  whole  of  the  cor- 
respondence that  passed  upon  this  subject  I  had  already 
placed  in  the  hands  of  your  department,  and  I  also  enclose 
a  copy  of  the  same  herewith. 

Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell  having  arrived  in  England, 
and  having  previously  completed  the  repairs  of  the  ship, 
taken  in  coal  and  filled  up  the  vacancies  in  the  crew,  1  again 
made  the  Hon.  A7m.  L.  Yancey  an  offer  of  a  passage  in  the 
Nashville  to  the  Confederate  States,  and  upon  his  declining 
to  accompany  us,  I  notified  to  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty 
that  I  was  prepared  to  proceed  to  sea  forthwith.  Thereupon 
a  notification  was  made  to  the  Captain  of  the  Tuscarora  that 
his  vessel  could  not  leave  until  the  expiration  of  twenty- 
four  hojirs  after  the  departure  of  the  Nashville,  and  to  pre- 
vent any  possible  breach  of  faith  the  English  frigate  Shan- 
non, with  steam   up  and  guns   shotted  lay  along-side  of  the 


8 

federal  vessel.  Thus  on  the  3d  February,  the  Nashville  left 
Southampton.  And  I  must  here  record  my  high  sense  of 
the  courtesy  and  kindness  that  I  met  with  at  the  hands  of 
all  with  whom  I  was  brought  into  contact  during  my  stay  in 
England. 

From  the  time  of  our  departure,  until  the  l!Hh  of  Februa- 
ry, the  weather  was  favorable,  but  then  a  heavy  gale  was 
encountered.  During  this  gale  which  lasted  several  days, 
the  inspection  pipe  of  the  engine  was  half  way  cracked,  and 
the  prompt  and  efficient  manner  in  which  this  was  remedied 
by  ^Ir.  J.  Ilood,  the  chief  engineer,  together  with  the  great 
care  exercised  by  him  in  his  important  department  through- 
out the  entire  vo^'age  are  worthy  of  the  highest  commen- 
dation. 

Upon  leaving  England  I  had  determined  to  make  direct 
course  for  one  of  our  Southern  ports,  but  finding  that  the 
Nashville  could  not  weather  in  safety  continued  northerly 
gales,  and  that  far  more  coal  had  been  consumed  than  was 
anticipated,  I  shaped  our  course  for  Bermuda,  anchoring  in 
the  harbor  of  St.  George,  on  the  20th  of  February.  Whilst 
receiving  on  board  a  supply  of  coal,  I  learned  that  the  owner 
and  master  of  the  Confederate  schooner  Pearl  which  had  run 
the  blockade  from  Beaufort,  N.  C,  and  had  run  aground  on 
the  northern  part  of  the  Island  of  Bermuda  was  then  at 
Hamilton,  and  I  detei mined  on  seeking  an  interview  with 
the  person  in  charge.  Before,  however,  I  could  carry  out 
this  resolution.  Captain  J.  Pender,  the  owner  of  the  Pearl 
came  on  board  the  Nashville,  and  in  the  most  patriotic  and 
praiseworthy  manner,  volunteered  his  services  and  those  of 
his  master,  Mr.  J.  Beveridge,  a  practised  pilot,  to  pilot  the 
Nashville  into  Beaufort,  N.  C,  speaking  with  the  utmost 
confidence  of  our  ability  to  run  into  that  port.  The  man- 
ner in  which  the  proposal  was  made  induced  me  to  accept 
Captain  Pender's  oiler,  and  I  cannot  now  speak  too  highly, 
both  personally  and  officially  of  the  advice  and  assistance 
that  he  and  Mr.  Beveridge  thus  afforded  me. 

On  the  24th  February,  the  Nashville  left  Bermuda,  and  I 
shaped  our  course  for  Beaufort,  N.  C.  At  dawn  on  the 
morning  of  the  26th  February  a  schooner  was  seen  on  our 
port  bow,  which  proved  to  be  tlie  Robert  Gilfillan,  Captain 
Smith,  from  Philadelphia  to  llayti  with  an  assorted  cargo  of 
provisions.  Steaming  towards  her  I  hoisted  the  American 
flag,  the  schooner  doing  the  same.  I  then  sent  an  officer  on 
board  and  obtained  from  the  Captain  all  the  information  he 


possessed,  when  upon  a  given  signal  from  the  officer,  I  dis- 
played our  flag  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  schoon- 
er, this  was  at  once  complied  with  and  the  sea  being  too 
rough  to  allow  of  any  transfer  of  cargo,  the  Captain  and 
crew,  seven  in  number,  were  with  their  personal  effects 
brought  on  board  the  Nashville.  The  Robert  Gilfillan  being 
then  set  on  fire  and  burned ;  after  this  we  met  with  some 
heavy  weather,  but  after  crossing  the  Gulf  stream  the  weath- 
er was  favorable. 

At  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  2Sth  February,  we 
found  ourselves  near  to  the  harbor  of  Beaufort,  N.  C,  and 
the  first  thing  seen  was  an  enemy's  ship  blockading  the  port. 
I  stood  directly  towards  her,  hoisting  the  American  flag  and 
the  ships  private  number.  This  was  replied  to  by  the  ene- 
my. As  soon,  however,  as  I  had  passed  her  I  ordered  the 
United  States  flag  to  be  hauled  down,  and  hoisted  th(  Con- 
federate' flag  at  the  foremast-head  and  at  the  peak,  while  my 
pennant  was  run  up  at  the  main.  When  the  United  States 
flag  was  hauled  down  on  board  the  Nashville,  the  federal 
vessel's  Captain  endeavored  to  bring  her  broadside  to  bear, 
but  before  the  ship  could  be  swung  we  were  out  of  range  of 
his  guns.  In  spite  of  this  the  enemy  fired  twenty-one  shots, 
but  without  the  slightest  effect.  I  answered  the  enemy's  sa- 
lute by  firing  one  gun,  finding  it  useless  to  waste  more  pow- 
der. At  shortly  after  7  A.  M.,  we  had  passed  the  lines  of 
Fort  Macon  and  were  safely  moored  alongside  of  the  rail- 
road wharf  at  Morehead  City. 

The  foregoing  is  as  brief  a  report  as  is  practicable  of  the 
whole  circumstances  connected  with  the  passage  of  the  Con- 
federate States  steamer  "  Nashville."  under  my  command, 
and  I  sincerely  trust  that  my  actions  will  meet  with  the  ap- 
probation of  the  Department. 

In  conclusion,  allow  me  to  express  the  very  high  opinion 
that  I  hold  of  the  services  rendered  the  Confederacy  by 
Lieutenant  J.  W.  Bennett,  the  executive  officer  of  the 
*'Nashville,"  and  to  mention  that  I  feel  personally  under  many 
obligations  to  him  for  his  valuable  counsel  and  assistance  in 
maintaining  the  discipline  and  efficiency  of  the  ship.  I 
have  also  to  name,  in  terms  of  the  highest  commendation, 
Lieutenant  W.  C.  Whittle,  Mr.  R.  Taylor,  assistant  pay- 
master, Dr.  J.  L.  Anchun,  acting  surgeon,  and  Mr.  J.  H. 
In^raham,  acting  sailing  master,  and  to  beg  that  you  will 
kindly  place  them  under  the  favorable  consideration  of  the 
Department.     Allow   me  also  to  request  that  the  appoint- 


10 

ments  of  the  whole  of  the  acting  midshipmen  may  be  con- 
firmed, with  one  exception,  concerning  which  I  shall  pre- 
sent a  special  report.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  report  that 
Mr.  Sawyer,  the  acting  boatswain,  has,  by  his  unexcep- 
tional conduct  and  seaman-like  bearing,  gained  the  favora- 
ble consideration  of  every  officer  on  board,  and,  that  by  his 
energy  and  industry,  he  has  rendered  great  assistance  in  add- 
ing to  the  efficiency  of  the  vessel.  Permit  me  to  call  hira 
under  your  notice,  and  to  beg  that  the  Department  will  be 
pleased  to  confirm  his  appointment.  Mr.  J.  Evans,  the 
Charleston  pilot  on  the  passage  from  England,  kept  regular 
watch,  and  fulfilled  his  duties  to  my  satisfaction.  1  also 
wish  to  call  specially  your  attention  to  the  saciifices  made 
by  Mr.  Frank  Dawson,  a  young  Englishman  of  high  refine- 
ment and  education,  who  left  family,  friends,  and  every  tie, 
to  espouse  our  cause,  and  who,  not  to  be  put  oft'  by  any 
difficulties  thrown  in  his  way,  insisted  upon  serving  under 
our  flag,  performing  throughout  the  passage  from  England 
the  most  menial  duties  of  an  ordinary  seamen  in  a  manner 
that  gained  for  him  the  admiration  of  every  officer  on  board. 
I  am  now  most  desirous  of  retaining  the  services  of  Mr. 
Frank  Dawson  as  my  clerk,  unless  the  Department  can  find 
gome  more  appropriate  position  in  which  to  place  him. 

Mr.  L.  Ilill,  who  shipped  with  us  as  a  seaman,  soon  at- 
tracted my  notice  by  his  zeal  and  attention,  and  this  induced 
me  to  give  him  the  appointment  of  master-at-arms.  The 
duties  of  this  post  he  has  filled  to  my  complete  satisfaction, 
and  I  trust  tliat  the  Department  v/ill  be  pleased  to  give  him 
an  appointment  more  suited  to  his  merits  ;  such,  for  instance, 
as  that  of  master-mate.  I  cannot  omit  to  mention  that  Mr. 
llamson,  the  acting  boatswain-mate,  and  tlie  seamen  gener- 
ally, have  given  me  great  satisfaction.  Mr.  J.  Hood,  the 
chief  engineer,  reports  most  favorably  on  the  merits  of  John 
Spidell,  third  assistant  engineer,  and  John  Seeley,  water- 
tender,  whom  I  recommend  with  pleasure  to  your  notice. 
The  firemen  and  coal-passers  have,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
discharged  their  duties  very  efficiently. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir. 

Most  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  serv't, 
R.  B.  PEG  RAM, 
Lieutenant  Commanding. 


[No.  1.— Copy,] 

(Immediate.) 

Admiralty  Office,  ) 
Southampton,  January  11,  1S62.      \ 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acquaint  you  that  I  have  re- 
ceived orders  with  respect  to  ship  under  your  command,  and 
the  *'Tuscarora"  to  detain  one  vessel  until  the  other  has 
had  twenty-four  hours  start. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  CHAS.  PATRY, 

Add.  Capt.    of  H.  M.  S.  ^'Victory,"  and  Sen'r 

Officer  of  Port  of  Southampton. 
The  Commander 

C.  S.  S.  S.  Nashville. 


[No.  2.— Copy.J 

From  R.  B.  Fegram,  Lt.    Comd'g  C.  S.  N.,  to  Capt.  Fairy, 
Senior  Naval  Officer,  Southampton. 

C.   S.    Steamer  Nashville,  ) 
Southampton,  January  11,  1862.      5 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
letter  of  to  day's  date,  intimating  to  me  that  in  the  event  of 
the  "  Tuscarora"  proceeding  to  sea,  the  ship  under  my  com- 
mand is  not  to  leave  until  twenty-four  haurs  shall  have 
elapsed  after  the  *'  Tuscarora's "  departure,  and  I  beg  to 
assure  you  that  I  shall  rigidly  contorm  to  the  instructions 
of  your  Government  in  this  respect,  and  you  may  depend 
that  nothing  whatever  shall  be  done  on  my  part  to  infringe 
the  neutrality  of  this  port. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

R.  B.  PEGRAM, 

Lieutenant  Corri'g. 
To  Capt.  Patry,  Senior  Naval 

Officer,  Southampton. 


12 

[No.  3.— Copy.] 

Admiralty  Office,  ) 
Southampton,  January  26,  1862.  \ 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  I  am  directed  to  obtain 
from  you,  as  Avell  as  from  the  Commander  of  the  Tuscarora, 
a  -written  promise  that  you  will  not  leave  your  present  posi- 
tion without  giving  me  twenty-four  hours  notice  of  your  in- 
tention to  depart. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  CHAS.  PATRY, 

Add.  Capt.  of  II.  M.  S.  Victory,  and  Senior  Officer, 

at  Southampton. 
Lt.  Commanding  R.  B.  Pegram, 

C.  S.  »S.  S.  Nashville,  Southampton. 


[No.  4.— Copy.] 

From  K  B.   Pegram,  Lt.  C.  S.  N.,  to  Capt.  C.  Patry,  Add. 
Capt.  II.  31.  S.  Victory. 

C.  S.  Steamer  Nashville,      > 
Southampton,  January   21),   1862.  ) 
Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication  of  this  date. 

I  promise  you  that  the  Nashville  shall  not  be  moved  from 
her  present  position  without  giving  you  twenty-four  hours' 
notice  of  her  intended  departure. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  B.  PEGRAM,  Lt.  Commanding. 
Chas.  S.  Patry,  Add.   Capt.  H.  M.  S.  Victory,  and  Senior 
Officer,  at  Southampton. 


[No.  5.— Copy.] 

Admiralty  Office, 
Southampton,  January  27,  1862. 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  received 
from  the  Commander  of  the  Tuscarora,  a  notification  that 
it  is  his  intention  to  proceed  to  sea  to-morrow,  (Tuesday,)  at 


13 

11  o'clock,  A.  M.  You  cannot,  therefore,  I  beg  to  remind 
you,  be  permitted  to  leave  this  port  in  the  Nashville  until 
twenty-four  hours  shall  have  elapsed  from  the  time  of  the 
departure  of  the  Tuscarora. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  CHAS.   C.  PATRY, 

Add.  Capt.  II.  M.  S.  Victory,  and  Senior  Naval  Officer. 

(Present.) 
Lt.  Commanding  R,  B.  Pegram, 

C.  S.  S.  S.  Nashville. 


[No.  6.— Copy.] 

Admiralty  Office,      > 
Southampton,  January  27,  1862,  3  P.  M.  ] 
Sir  :   In  accordance  with  instructions   received  by  me,  I 
am  to  call  upon  you  to  leave  the  Southampton  waters  in  the 
Nashville,  under  your  command,  and  that  you   proceed  to 
sea  on  Wednesday  next,  the  29th  instant,  at  12  o'clock,  at 
noon,  provided   that  an   interval  of  twenty-four  hours  shall 
have  elapsed  after  the  departure  to  sea  of  the  Tuscarora, 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  CIIAS.  C.  PATRY. 

Lt.  Commanding  R.  B.  Pegram, 

C.  S.  S.  S.  Nashville, 


[No.  7.— Copy.] 

From  R.  B.  Pegram^  Lt.  Commxindmg,  C.  S.  N.,  to  his  Grace 
the  Duke  of  Somerset,  Secretary^of  State  for  War. 

London,  January  27,  18G2. 

My  Lord  Duke  :  By  letter  from  Captain  Patry  of  the 
Admiralty,  dated  to  day,  I  am  ordered  to  put  to  sea  within 
twenty-four  hours  after  the  departure  of  the  United  States 
sloop-of-war  Tuscarora. 

It  has  now  been  more  than  two  months  since  I  arrived  with 
my  vessel,  the  Nashville,  at  Southampton,  and  during  that 
time  it  has  been  my  constant  endeavor  to  pay  the  strictest 


14 

regard  to  that  neutrality  wliieli  has  been  so   solemnly  pro- 
claimed by  her  Majesty's  Government. 

My  ship  not  being  originally  designed  to  cross  the  Atlan- 
tic, much  less  as  a  war  vessel,  I  have  not  been  able  to 
strengthen  her  sufficiently  to  sustain  the  two  light  six- 
pounder  guns  which  had  been  put  on  board  of  her,  and  to 
leave  within  the  fatal  delay  specified  in  the  above  order, 
would  be  to  subject  me  to  inevitable  capture.  So  obvious  is 
this,  indeed,  that  I  am  driven  to  the  conclusion  that  there 
has  been  some  strange  misconception  in  regard  to  this  sud- 
den summons,  and  this,  in  connection  with  the  very  brief 
time  allotted  me,  urges  me  to  address  your  Grace  in  person, 
and  to  submit  the  enclosed  copies  of  the  communications 
I  have  received  from  Captain  Patry. 

Your  Grace  cannot  fail  to  observe,  from  these  orders,  that 
my  movements  are  made  subordinate  to  those  of  the  Tusca- 
rora,  and  that  the  Commander  of  that  vessel  is  absolutely 
empowered  to  force  me  into  a  collision  with  him  upon  his 
own  terms. 

If  it  is,  indeed,  true  that  I  am  bidden  to  abandon  the 
asylum  whose  hospitable  shelter  I  have  not  abused,  and  that 
I  am  thus  with  my  weak  ship  and  slender  crew  to  be  placed 
at  the  mercy  of  a  powerful  man-of-war  with  which  it  would 
be  madness  to  attempt  to  cope,  I  havejno  alternative  left 
me  but  to  obey  this  peremptory  order,  but  I  here  enter  my 
solemn  protest  against  it  in  the  name  of  common  humanity, 
and  of  that  Government  which  I  have  the  honor  to  represent. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  my  Lord  Duke, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  B.  PEG  RAM, 
Commander  C.  S.  S.  S.  Nashville. 
To  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  K.  G. 


[No.  8. 


Southampton,  Jan.  10,  1862. 
Sir:  I  beg  to  state  for  your  information  that  yesterday  at 
8  P.  M  ,  I  was  visiting  the  south-side  of  the  docks  and  near 
■where  your  ship  is  lying,  when  I  discovered  a  party  of 
strangers  on  the  pier,  near  the  middle  graining  dock,  and 
upon  demanding  to  know  who  they  were,   an  officer  of  the 


15 

party  informed  me  that  they  belonged  to  the  Tuscarora,  and 
were  stationed  there  by  their  Captain's  orders  to  watch  the 
steamship  Nashville,  and  if  she  attempted  to  get  under  way, 
to  immediately  make  a  signal  to  the  Tuscarora, 

The  party  consisted  of  two  officers  and  three  men. 

I  informed  them  that  they  had  no  right  or  authority  to  be 
here  for  such  purpose  and  without  permission,  and  at  once 
oidered  them  to  leave  the  premises,  which  they  did. 

I  afterwards  saw  the  Consul  and  informed  him  I  had  done 
so,  and  should  not  allow  any  of  the  Tuscarora's  crew  to  re- 
main on  these  premises  at  night. 

These  circumstances  being  of  so  much  importance,  1  have 
have  thought  it  my  duty  to  communicate  the  same   to  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  this  port,  Captain  Patry,  R.  N.,  and  I 
think  it  only  fair  to  make  the  same  known  to  you. 
I  am  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

PHILIP  HEDGES, 

Superintendent. 
Lt.  Commanding  R.  B.  Pegram, 

C.  S.  S.  S.  Nashville,  Southampton  Dock. 


[No.  9._Copy.] 

C.  S.  Steamer  Nashville,  > 

Southampton,  Nov.  25,  1861.       ] 

My  Dear  Sir  :  I  am  at  a  loss  now  to  express  the  deep 
sense  of  my  obligations  to  you  for  your  most  kind  and  un- 
expected letter  of  this  date.  Your  offer  is  so  much  the  more 
to  be  appreciated,  when  I  think  of  the  still  doubtful  posi- 
tion of  England  in  regard  to  our  nationality,  and  when  so 
few  are  willing  to  risk  ought  for  a  people  in  their  efforts  for 
liberty,  and  that  too  against  a  government  heretofore  rank- 
ing among  the  great  powers  of  the  world. 

It  shall  not  be  forgotten  by  myself  nor  by  my  govern- 
ment, if  exertions  of  mine  can  avail.  Permit  me  in  all  grati- 
tude to  say  that  although  not  in  need  of  funds  at  this  time^ 
should  circumstances  demand,  I  will  with  much  pleasure 
avail  myself  of  your  offer. 

As  my  presence  will  be  required  on  board  my  ship  dur- 
ing the  greater  part  of  my  stay,  a  visit  in  person  will,  I  re- 


16 

gret  to  say,  V»e  out  of  my  power.  I  return  the  check  hook 
by  Captain  II use.  who  will  also  do  me  the  fiivor  to  hand  you 
this  letter. 

Most  truly  yours, 

R.  B.  PEGRAM, 
Lt.  Comg,  a  S.  N, 
To  S.  Isaac,  Esq..  London. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH  8.5  ' 


